Stop Calling It “Drama”: How to Build a Beauty School Culture That Rises Above the Stereotype
Let’s talk about a word I really don’t like when we are talking beauty schools…
Drama.
I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard it from school owners, spa managers, even students!! (not to mention random people when they hear I work at a beauty school)
“Well, you know how it is when a bunch of women get together…”
“This industry is just full of drama.”
“It’s a beauty school of course there’s going to be cattiness.”
Honestly?
No. I don’t accept that. And you shouldn’t either.
“Drama” Is a Lazy Word for Avoidable Conflict
When we label every challenge, every tough conversation, every moment of friction as drama, we shut down growth. We turn real, human conflict into something that feels petty or immature especially when it’s a group of women. (sorry, is my feminism showing??)
That’s not fair.
And it’s not helpful.
Let me be clear: Conflict is normal.
You’re running a fast-paced, emotional, high-touch learning environment. You’ve got instructors managing students, students working with clients, and staff juggling a million moving parts. Things will come up.
But here’s the thing:
Conflict is not the same as chaos.
And it should never be brushed off as “just drama.”
If Your Campus Feels Dramatic, It’s a Culture Issue—Not a People Issue
Let’s be honest. If your school is full of cliques, gossip, tension, or underlying hostility, that’s not just happening.
It’s being tolerated.
Because remember:
Culture isn’t just what you say or do.
It’s what you allow. What you ignore. What you quietly let slide.
When leadership doesn’t address those energy leaks, they grow. And before you know it, you’ve got turnover, disengaged students, exhausted instructors, and a “vibe” you don’t love walking into.
So what can you do??
Here’s How to Shut Down “Drama” Before It Ever Becomes a Problem
1. First, STOP calling it drama.
Seriously, remove it from your vocabulary. It sounds petty, and it makes people defensive. Say what it really is: miscommunication, tension, conflict. Then deal with it like the adult you are.
2. Teach your team how you want them to communicate.
Most people aren’t intentionally stirring the pot they just don’t know how to address issues in a healthy way. Model it. Coach it. Make it part of your culture.
3. Onboard more than just policies. Onboard your values.
When someone joins your team, don’t just hand them a dress code. Talk about energy, respect, professionalism, and how you do things here. This goes for students too. Consider adding a policy into your student enrollment agreement that protects other students from those who are “skunking” it up for everyone.
4. If something feels off, don’t ignore it.
The vibe doesn’t lie. If you feel something brewing, name it early. Pull someone aside. Clear it up. Little moments of redirection save you big headaches later. Ensure your staff and instructors know the proper procedure, verbiage and protocol for when to get involved and when to steer clear.
5. Celebrate grown up behavior.
We’re so quick to call out the negative, but what if you started spotlighting the teammate who squashed an issue calmly? Or the student who asked for a boundary instead of blowing up? That’s the energy we want more of.
Final Thoughts
If your school feels dramatic, I’m not here to blame you.
But I am here to remind you that you have the power to change it.
Because “drama” isn’t just something that happens when women work together. EYE ROLL!!!!!
It’s what happens when we don’t have the tools, systems, or leadership to handle conflict in a healthy way.
Let’s stop accepting that narrative.
Let’s raise the standard.
And let’s build beauty school cultures where people feel safe, respected, and excited to show up.